Apple Blossom among 2019 goals for Midnight Bisou

Midnight Bisou’s end game this year is a return trip to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and part of her path there is scheduled to run through Oaklawn Park.

Midnight Bisou – an Eclipse Award finalist for champion 3-year-old filly of 2018 – launched her 4-year-old season Sunday with a last-to-first win in the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston Race Park. She captured the 1 1/16-mile race by three-quarters of a length and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 91. It was her first start since running third in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Nov. 3.

“It was nice to get that first one out of the way, so to speak,” said Jeff Bloom, who co-owns Midnight Bisou with Allen Racing and Madaket Stables. “She’s just a lovely filly, such a pleasure to be around. We wanted this initial kick-off race for her to go the right way. We can take a nice deep breath now and be happy with where we’re headed.”

Trainer Steve Asmussen said the major spring target for Midnight Bisou is the Grade 1, $700,000 Apple Blossom on April 14 at Oaklawn.

“Obviously, the Apple Blossom is quite attractive,” he said. “She’ll most likely have one race before then. She has returned to Fair Grounds, and we’ll make sure she continues to train well and, like I said, she’ll likely have one race before the Apple Blossom.”

Bloom said provided all goes well, that race would be the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri, a 1 1/16-mile stakes for fillies and mares on March 16 at Oaklawn.

“It works out well timing-wise,” Bloom said. “It’s a little bit of extra time following this first race back and an opportunity to get a nice race over that surface.”

Mike Smith rode Midnight Bisou in the Houston Ladies Classic – as well as in most of her starts at 3 – and he has the mount going forward, Bloom said.

“Mike and the filly just fit each other perfectly,” Bloom said. “The plan is that they’re paired up together for the 2019 campaign.”

Asmussen said he is looking forward to this season with Midnight Bisou.

“She’s a multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire,” he said. “She’s fun to run.”